Ensure Your Chimney Sweep Lives by a Professional Code of Ethics

As the oldest continually certified chimney sweep in the nation, we at Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration have worked long and hard at developing a reputation of being an honest company that provides the very best in Chicago-area chimney and fireplace services.

Something we are seeing more and more of each day are unscrupulous individuals who claim to be able to provide chimney sweep services for rock bottom prices. As we’ve said before, you get what you pay for when it comes to chimney sweep services, and a $59 inspection likely will only lead to more problems in your chimney or fireplace. Find out more about the difference between our inspections and cheaper versions in this previous blog post.

Before hiring a chimney sweep to come into your home for an annual inspection or chimney repairs, it’s important to ask the right questions to make sure you’re hiring the very best available. These questions include:

• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured?
• Do you have references?
• Can you provide me with an initial estimate?
• What kind of warranty do you offer?
• Are you certified by a national organization?
• Do you adhere to that organization’s code of ethics?

At Valley Chimney, we hold several certifications. Our most important one is with the Chimney Safety Institute of America. The CSIA is based in Plainfield, Indiana, and has been the industry’s leading governing body since its founding in 1983. Its code of ethics are as follows:

• To learn and utilize all chimney and venting safety practices and techniques that are promoted by CSIA.
• To render my services in an honest and fair manner and to refrain from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices or making any unfair or deceptive statements including but not limited to with regard to use of the CSIA logos.
• To comply with all applicable building codes in the areas I service, with the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the products I install, and with recognized chimney and venting practices.
• To promote and educate consumers about safe chimney and venting practices.
• To strive to continually update my knowledge, skills, and technique with regard to currently accepted chimney and venting safety practices.
• To conduct myself in a decent, respectful, and professional manner when serving in my capacity as a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep or CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician, or when attending a function or event of an organization in the chimney or hearth products industry.
• To comply with the proper usage of all CSIA Registered Trademarks as defined in the CSIA Trademark Use Guidelines documents.

Ensuring a service provider has the proper certifications should be one of the most important considerations homeowners make before hiring any company, including chimney sweeps. Remember to always take the time to research any service provider. Go beyond their online reviews and make sure they are properly qualified with corresponding professional organizations. Not doing so could end up costing you more money down the road.

If you’re looking for a certified and highly qualified chimney sweep to prepare your systems for the coming winter, look no further than Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration. We are a local, family owned business that’s been working in area homes for two generations. Contact us today for your annual inspection, cleaning and any possible repairs.